Has just sent MS of Variation off to printer. Is in darkness about its merits.

News of family and their health. Riding seems to help him.

There is so much detail in Variation that WDF will never be able to finish it. Some chapters, like that on reversion, are "curious".

Is working on "Sexual selection"; asks WDF to send observations on birds’ finding new mates during breeding season [see Descent 2: 103–7].

WDF’s letter gives CD the kind of facts he wants. His story about peacocks is so good that CD will quote it [Descent 2: 46].

Pleased WDF approves of his book [Variation]

– "beloved Pangenesis disagrees badly with many".

Reminds WDF to write about the "great magpie marriage". Sexual selection an "everlasting subject".

News of his children.

Asks for information on instances of sexual preference in animals and data on numbers of males and females born in various domesticated species.

Much interested in WDF’s letter on inheritance and courtship of birds. CD "in a great muddle" on many points.

Asks for further information on proportion of sexes in sheep.

Thanks WDF for information about sheep and cattle.

Mentions corrections for new edition of Origin [5th ed. (1869)].

Encloses a four-page printed pamphlet on the cruelty of steel traps [see Collected papers 2: 83–4].

Thanks to WDF’s directions, Anne’s tombstone has been found.

CD improved, but recovery is slow. She describes treatment.

Encloses paper she and CD have written [see 4294, which was wrongly addressed by ED and had not reached WDF].

Thanks WDF for his letter [on steel traps].

Gives a better report of CD’s health since he gave up water-cure.

CD has been so ill they must discourage visit by WDF. Recovering slowly with new treatment.

Urges WDF to send trap he has invented to the exhibition and competition of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Advertisement of Brailsford’s Patent Vermin Trap enclosed.